Stardate: 60313:1500
Title: Pulling Rank
Author: Executive Officer Abigail Winters
Title: After “When Past and Present Collide (Part 2)”
Scene: USS Relentless and Starbase 9


The crew on the bridge of the Relentless did their best to remain unnoticed as their new Executive Officer argued with Starbase 9 communication officers.

“I DON’T CARE. FIND HIM AND TELL HIM I DEMAND A MEETING.”

The channel closed and the XO slumped in her little boss chair and looked at her watch; the hours were quickly passing after the altercation had taken place. So far Abby had tried to contact pretty much everyone on Starbase 9. It was only through checking the station logs that Abby had found out that Admiral Foster was not actually on the Station and that Frank Burgle was currently in charge. However, he was avoiding all her calls and attempts to
make contact. Security refused to be moved and would not release the Captain. This was particularly strange and led Abby to think there was more going on than a simple slap on the wrist for bad behaviour.

“Thomas, you have the bridge.” Abby couldn’t sit here any longer and wait; she would make Burgle see her. As she walked through Starbase 9 Abby felt lots of eyes watching her and she knew that people were talking about what had happened in the bar. She stopped at a computer terminal.

“Computer – where is Frank Burgle?”

<Frank Burgle is in Admiral Foster’s office>. Abby squared her shoulders and made her way to the office. 

Commander Frank Burgle, as Abby had read from his file, was a highly decorated officer with 28 years of service history. Abby was determined to enter the Admiral's office so she ignored the protests of a very flustered Ensign who told her the Commander was unavailable and not to be disturbed. 

When she stepped through the office door she found Burgle lounging in a chair looking out of the large picture window. When he turned to face Abby he didn’t seem surprised by her presence.

“You must be the little lady who keeps leaving messages for me.” He smiled at his own patronizing tone.

Abby reigned in her temper, took a deep cleansing breath and decided to play him at his own game.

“It was really kind of you to see me.” She smiled and looked from Burgle to the young Ensign who was still hovering nervously at the door.

“It’s ok Ensign, you can leave us.” Frank dismissed the grateful crewmember and motioned for Abby to take the chair opposite. Abby determinedly ignored the gesture and remained standing not wanting to give up any advantage.

“Commander, I must insist that you release Captain Khavok at once.”

The Commander’s smile vanished and he started to swing his chair from side to side.

“Now that’s not possible. We have to investigate and take crimes like these very seriously.” 

Abby sensed that Burgle was enjoying himself. She wondered what his grudge against Khavok could be that made him treat the Captain in this way.

“If you can’t let the matter go, then surely you can release him from the brig. I will happily vouch for him.”

Abby started to run through several scenarios in her head where she could break Khavok out of his cell.

“Well you see there’s the problem. For us to release Captain Khavok it would have to be on the word of someone of equal rank or above.” 

The Commander was really enjoying himself now at Abby’s expense.

“Well, then you have my word that Captain Khavok will cause no more trouble.” Abby and Frank had not realized that Captain Scott Deadilus had joined them.

“Commander Deadilus.” Frank stood up from his lounging position.

“That’s Captain Deadilus now.” His smile was one of calm authority “And back to the matter of you releasing Alex...”


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Lt. Commander Abigail Winters
Executive Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966 
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